TCP-TAP

tcp_tap is a utility for adding a TCP-tap to console programs

Multi-session TCP-IP interactivity
Adding ability by wrapping sub-commands similar to GNU coreutils: stdbuf
Adds a tee, but on stdin

Originally intended to extend gdb front-ends that lack a console (like for example kdbg). It can however be used for any program which uses stdio to communicate (including interactive console programs which communicate with the shell). tcp_tap sits in-between the io-stream and listens at a port.

When someone connects to that port, a new "tap"-session will be created for that client. Everything sent in-between the original program and it's original client will be replicated back and forth to the new client as well.

Is this for you?

Adding TCP-IP abilities to console programs can be done in many ways. Like the classic initd/xinitd or netcat

You would use tcp-tap either when:

Get in-between two programs (typically front- vs. back-ends)
Multisession (queued) is required

By not accepting any arguments of it's own and send everything to the wrapped command, tcp-tap is able to add it's extended features also to programs (normally GUI front-ends) that have it's back-end hard-coded.

Build

Native builds:

tcp-tap binary and libraries (installed)

cmake .
ccmake .
make
sudo make install
make clean

Examples:

Examples are built separately. Use above installed library.

cd examples/
cmake .
ccmake .
make

Cross builds

How to use

Set a few environment variables
- Wrapped inside a shell-sript
Optionally (i.e. if needed) rename this script to the intended command and change the $PATH

This stealthy ability makes it possible to extend without requiring modification.

An example of how to use in this script: gdb.tap.sh

Note: Whence on TCP stream, terminal awareness and features are either lost or (probably) not functional.

Cloning this project all in one go

To clone the project including it's git sub-modules:

git clone --recursive https://github.com/mambrus/tcp_tap.git

More info

Browse the Wiki for more information.